I have never been stopped by the Nigerian police ever in my life but tonight I became a victim of this common evil. I live in the FESTAC part of Lagos, I have my little cousins staying over at my place during their school's recess. At 7:30pm tonight my father's employee and I drove to Agboju market to buy some meat and groceries for the house; on our way home We were suddenly stopped by two female auxiliary police officers who usually direct traffic at the roundabout right in front of the market. These two officers wore blue short sleeved shirts with matching blue trousers and black shoes, the pace at which they ran towards the car, I thought I was on Nigeria's Most Wanted list.

One of the officers approached the passenger side of the car and demanded that we open it, which I did without resistance; both officers entered the car and asked that I drive to the nearby curb and park the car. At this point I asked them what offense I had committed, one of the officers replied saying "don't worry just make a right here and park the car I will tell you what you did." Upon parking the car, I asked why I was being stopped and one of them said I drove through a one-way. "The reason I'm arresting you now is because you drive through one -way" she said. I tried explaining to them that other motorists were driving through that same route,besides, I couldn't drive through the other side of the roundabout because of a blockade - my explanations fell on deaf ears.

I've learned never to admit fault when stopped by the police via movies because your Miranda Rights protect you against answering any questions as whatever you say may be used against you in a court of law. I was still trying to prove my innocence before one of the officers asked me to drive to their police station. Upon arrival, I was asked to show my particulars and driver's license; I presented my car particulars but I didn't have my driver's license. When they found out that I didn't have my driver's license they had an evil smirk on their faces. At least now they felt they had a tangible reason to place me under arrest.

I tried explaining that I forgot my license in the pocket of a trouser I wore earlier and I can ask someone to bring it right now, but as expected I was lamenting to the wind. "Let's go inside then you will explain to my oga why you drive one-way and you don't have license" at this point, the guy I was with started pleading with one of the officers. I was already tired of the constant back and forth so I dug into my pocket and offered them N1,000. One of the officers looked at the money in utter disgust and questioned "Wetin be this? You must pay N10,000, look those two cars wey park there, my oga tell them make them Come back tomorrow with N25,000." I dug into my pocket again and offered them N2,000 of which they refused. I told them I'm a student and this was all I had, one of them said she is a student too. The guy kept begging them to accept the money because we didn't leave the house with much cash as we only wanted to buy a few items. One of them now said I should make it N7,000 or we would go into the police station and give a statement and the car will be impounded. I finally offered them N4,200 which they reluctantly accepted saying "I just pity you because we don't know where we will see each other again."

Yes Officer Felicia A. (full surname reserved at this time) we don't know where we shall see again but I can promise you the next time we see again you will lose your job as I will do everything in my power to expose you and your corrupt colleagues to the general public with undercover video evidence. I'm already looking for spy gadgets like sunglasses, wrist watches and jewelries with concealed cameras. Your day of reckoning is at hand! I will spend my last dime to make you and your corrupt colleagues caught red handed and go viral via twitterverse, blogosphere, Facebook, and most importantly TV news stations. Let's see how you and your DPO will save face.

Pix or ...

In as much as everybody knows that the Nigerian Police Force, we all contributed one way or the other to the corruption in the Police Force.

Even without asking for bribes, people offer these men in black bribes in other to avoid being arrested or penalised or fined, whatever the case may be.

Driving against the traffic and driving without a drivers license is a serious offence under Traffic Law especially in Lagos state.

The police will continue extorting motorists unless the government review the Traffic Law and reduce the amount motorists pay as fine from about the present 20,000 to less than 5,000. Doing so will discourage people from bribing the policemen because the major reason people offer these men bribe is because of the high fine. Who will pay about 20,000 when someone is willing to let you off the hook with 3,000 to 5,000.

Reducing the fine fees will generate more revenue for the government because given the attitude of most Nigerians to breaking the law, many people will continue driving against traffic and the fines handed over to them will go into government coffers instead of corrupt policemen.

This also applies to VIO, LASTMA, FRSC, and any other traffic personnel in Nigeria.

@naughtylagosguy... They asked for bribe after asking me to park the car but I was trying to prove my innocence. Also didn't u read d part where I said they wanted N10,000? Pls don't be a sympathizer of corrupt police officers. Not every police officer is corrupt but the majority are and they give the entire force a bad rep.

naughtylagosguy: In as much as everybody knows that the Nigerian Police Force, we all contributed one way or the other to the corruption in the Police Force.
Even without asking for bribes, people offer these men in black bribes in other to avoid being arrested or penalised or fined, whatever the case may be.
Driving against the traffic and driving without a drivers license is a serious offence under Traffic Law especially in Lagos state.
The police will continue extorting motorists unless the government review the Traffic Law and reduce the amount motorists pay as fine from about the present 20,000 to less than 5,000. Doing so will discourage people from bribing the policemen because the major reason people offer these men bribe is because of the high fine. Who will pay about 20,000 when someone is willing to let you off the hook with 3,000 to 5,000.
Reducing the fine fees will generate more revenue for the government because given the attitude of most Nigerians to breaking the law, many people will continue driving against traffic and the fines handed over to them will go into government coffers instead of corrupt policemen.
This also applies to VIO, LASTMA, FRSC, and any other traffic personnel in Nigeria.

My guy u r right until d govt reduces the penalty things like this will continue.if not that our policy makers are insane in a country where minimum wage is less than #18,000 traffic offence is 100+% .at d end of d day u r only creating room for corruption.

@OP: I live in festac and if u live in festac too and u shop at agboju market u will not fall for the antics.the place u pass is shorter to get out from d market and its one way but my grudge is why didn't d LGA or d police put a big sign at d approach but d officers will be there ready to pounce on u even if u ve Neva use d road they don't want to hear.just last nyt they still got a guy while I was passing there.dos policewomen they r devil walai!

Oga POLICE catch me if you can. I drive a golden 2012 camry and i use one way a lot.
FG fix our roads and reduce travel time spent on the road, Then i will do it right thing.